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Be Curious.

Spark your curiosity with a visit to the GRPM, a place of inspiration focusing on science, history, and culture.

Free Admission kent Count Kids 17 and Under
 
A room filled with models and illustrations of plankton. They glow against a deep blue backdrop.

Unseen Oceans

Now Open!
Embark on a journey to discover the latest ocean science and encounter the researchers and tech that are exploring the mysteries of our oceans.
Unseen OceansSee All Exhibits
Butterflies and moths pinned in a frame

The Streets of Old Grand Rapids

New Second Level Now Open!
Discover more Grand Rapids history in the Kent Scientific Institute and the E.S. Holmes dental office.
The Streets of Old Grand RapidsSee All Exhibits

Upcoming

We’re excited to share exhibitions and events designed to inspire.

See the Calendar

Chaffee Planetarium

Don’t miss out on stellar shows including Anishinaabe Star Knowledge, Secrets of the Sun, and our latest addition, Dinosaurs: A Story of Survival.

Planetarium Tickets

Get Tickets to Tour the GRPM Archives

Take an exclusive look behind the scenes at more than 250,000 artifacts and specimens and discover some of their stories on September 26 or October 17.

Archive Tours

Jay & Betty Van Andel Legacy Awards Gala

A fundraiser honoring three outstanding leaders who have inspired others in the Grand Rapids and West Michigan communities past, present, and future.

Gala

Experience Late Nights at the GRPM

Enjoy more time to explore and discover the GRPM on select evenings in 2026. We’ll be open until 8 p.m. Next open late dates: Thursday, July 9!

Late Nights at the GRPM

Explore 250,000+ Artifacts & Specimens in the Digital Collections

Everyone can access one of Michigan’s largest collections of history, culture, and science online. Discover the stories that shaped West Michigan and our place in the wider world.

View Collections Now

Build Your Ideal Museum Field Trip.

Including free and affordable onsite and virtual programming to connect to curriculum and inspire curiosity.

Field Trips at the GRPM

Become a Member.

Take Your Curiosity to the Next Level!

Membership Information
  • Free admission every day of the year
  • Discounts to planetarium shows, camps and more
  • Free admission to 300+ museums and science centers nationwide
  • Free parking in the Museum’s ramp
  • Pays for itself in less than 2 visits

GRPM Closing at 4 p.m. on Oct 1st

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will be closing at 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, for Museum Adventure After Dark, a spooky fundraiser supporting the Museum’s Collections. Tickets are still available!

The Carousel will be temporarily closed.

During routine mechanical checks, staff noticed an issue with the Spillman Carousel’s 98-year-old custom gearbox. Our team is hopeful for a timely fix and is actively working to locate this unique part. We anticipate it to remain closed into next week, and will reopen the Carousel as soon as possible.

We understand that our guests have been looking forward to riding the Carousel again, and are also sad to share this news. Our top priorities are guest safety and preservation of this nearly 100-year-old artifact. We will keep you updated as we work to repair this community treasure.

The Museum will be open for regular hours.

The Carousel is Closed Today, March 20

Due to a mechanical issue, the 1928 Spillman Carousel is closed today Friday, March, 20. 

We apologize for any inconvenience, and are hard at work making a repair to this century-old artifact. We will let you know when the Carousel is back up and spinning again!

The GRPM is CLOSED today.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is closed today, January 27, due to weather conditions. 

This evening’s invite-only event by the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital will be taking place as scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Drive safe, and stay warm! We’ll see you soon!

The GRPM is Closed Today (9/22)

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Grand Rapids Public Museum will be closed today, Tuesday, September 22, 2026. We will reopen tomorrow, September 23.

The GRPM is NOW OPEN

âš¡ Electricity is back in the building! âš¡
 

The GRPM is open for guests today, July 28. While the Museum is open, the cafe will be closed.

We hope to see you here. Stay cool in the heat today, Grand Rapids!

An exhibit with the label ELECTRICITY in pink lights

Museum Parking Ramp Closed Saturday, July 26

The Museum Parking Ramp will be unavailable for use this Saturday due to the Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival taking place on Front Avenue. They will be painting 21 new beautiful murals to brighten up Downtown Grand Rapids.

Alternative FREE parking will still be available in the GVSU Mt. Vernon lot at 50 Front Ave SW. See the map below for directions on how to access the Mt. Vernon lot.

See Map

U.S. Service Members and Families Free This Weekend!

This weekend, the GRPM extends free admission to all U.S. service members—active or retired—and their families.
 
See our new Veterans display, in partnership with the Michigan Heroes Museum, honoring West Michiganders who served the United States during World War II.
 

This offer includes those serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps, along with up to five family members.

Ask our front desk upon arrival to redeem.

Early Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closing early at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14th, for Cabinet of Curiosities: Grand Slam!

This elevated spring fundraiser explores America’s favorite pastime through Grand Rapids history and celebrates the GRPM’s new exhibit, Play Ball! The World’s Largest Collection of Detroit Tigers Autographed Baseballs.

Get Tickets

Planetarium & Cafe Closure Notice

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium and the Museum Cafe will be closed from September 2nd – 5th.

Upcoming
Planetarium Closure Notice

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium will be closed June 8 through June 15 for the most significant systems upgrade made to our Planetarium in 10 years!

Come back after June 15 to see crisper, cleaner, and more vibrant visuals, and a system capable of showcasing parts of the universe we weren’t able to display before!

Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closed for Easter on Sunday, April 20. We will reopen on Monday, April 21 for normal hours. 

Extended! Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash

Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Friday, December 6!

This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.

Become a Member Today!

Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.

Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash!

Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Tuesday, December 3! 

This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.

Become a Member Today!

Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.

Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closed on Thursday, September 12, 2024 for an event. We will re-open on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 9 a.m. 

Late Opening Notice.

On Saturday, May 11, the Museum will open at 12 p.m. due to road closures for the Amway River Bank Run.

Early Closure Notice.

The Museum will close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1 for Museum Adventure After Dark. Tickets are still available!